School enrollment down again

The number of students on the islands continues to dwindle, with the equivalent of 628 full-time students registered as of the end of September. That’s down about 34 students from the 662 students who were attending school here a year ago, and continues a downward trend that’s been going on for several years. Enrollment is down at every school on the islands except Queen Charlotte Secondary, where it’s up by one, according to numbers from superintendent Angus Wilson. Mr. Wilson said there are 106 students at G.M. Dawson (compared to 110 last year), 100 at Tahayghen (105 last year), 176 at Sk’aadgaa Naay (192 last year), 154 at QCSS (153 last year), 41 at Port Clements elementary (47 last year), and almost 52 at A.L. Mathers and e-school (almost 56 last year). The district was not expecting to lose this many students, but a number of families moved away unexpectedly, especially in the Sk’aadgaa Naay area, he said. Mr. Wilson said the enrollment decline will likely not affect the district’s funding, due to funding protection from the provincial government. However, it likely means that less staff will be required next year if numbers continue to drop.